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Publication Date

2012

Document Type

Honors Project

Department

Psychology

Keywords

Group identity, Self-actualization (Psychology), Self-esteem, Social interaction-Psychological aspects, Self-perception, Self-verification, Self-enhancement, Self-affirmation, Social identity based motivation, Culture, Self-motives, Identification, Intergroup interaction

Abstract

Do we prefer an positive but enhancing remark than a negative but self-reflective criticism? How do this preference interfere our self-concept and social interactions? This study examines how self- motives: self-verification and self-enhancement cooperate, and compete in motivating people to engage in intergroup interactions. Results show that though negative but self-reflective feedbacks on ingroup identity threaten one's self-concept, it would not reduce the person's willingness to engage in social interaction if positive identity is assured at the same time. In general, individuals prefer those who share similar views about them than those who try to release them from their negative self-concept. In other words, people would like be known than to be adored. Besides, complex findings across identification, culture and gender indicate that people's self-motives in engaging in intergroup interaction are interfered by other aspects of their identity.

Language

English

Comments

53 p. : ill. (some col.) Honors project-Smith College, Northampton, Mass., 2012. Includes bibliographical references (p. 46-53)

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